O’Donnell clan bids Julia fond farewell

A tiny village came to a standstill yesterday to say a loving farewell to a woman who helped put it on the map.

Daniel O’Donnell may be a global superstar but he gladly admitted he would have been nothing without mother Julia.

Hundreds of mourners turned up for the funeral of the 94-year-old who lived for her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren.

The coastal church of St Mary’s in Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, was packed an hour before the funeral Mass was due to begin.

The church nestles on a small hill overlooking the sea, with Owey Island in the distance, from where Julia and late husband Francie moved to marry and have children.

No fewer than 11 priests concelebrated the Mass.

They included Fr Brian Darcy, Fr John Joe Duffy, and chief celebrant Fr Brian Logue who was present at Francie’s funeral almost 50 years ago.

Julia’s remains were brought into the church by her sons and daughters James, John Bosco, Daniel, Margaret, and Kathleen.

Daniel’s wife Majella and a large following of family came close behind. A large wreath of white roses and lilies sat on top of Julia’s coffin.

Margo O'Donnell with her brother Daniel and his wife Majella at the funeral of their mother Julia O'Donnell.

Fr Logue, a local priest, returned from Scotland to conduct the service at the request of Julia.

He said Julia had been a wonderful mother whose many talents had included knitting and composing songs.

“She was a gifted and talented person,” said Fr Logue. “She was very well known for her knitting,. She knitted for the Pope, she knitted for the Queen, and she received thank you letters from both of them.”

To laughter from the congregation, Fr Logue joked: “I cannot count the number of clerical black socks she knitted for me.

“She was also a composer of songs. When Daniel was nine years old, he was at our home in Kincasslagh. He offered to sing a song for us and it was called ‘There’s a Shop at the Corner called Logues’. My father’s shop.

,Daniel O'Donnell sings a special song he composed few years ago'Beyond the Rainbow's End'.

“It was the first ever recorded song by Daniel. We still have the tape, the very first recording. And the studio it was composed was Logues kitchen.

“Now Julia, I’m going to bid you farewell.

“Whenever I reach the golden gates, I hope, I hope you will be there to welcome me with a new pair of socks and a song.”

The funeral hymns, in both Irish and English, were sung by Daniel’s close friend Mary Duff.

Julia’s grand children and great-grandchildren read the prayers of the faithful.

Throughout the Mass, Daniel managed to remain composed but broke down in tears as his mother’s coffin was taken from the church.